Tube flaring machine



. Feb. 23, 1965 W. G. GROTH TUBE FLARING MACHINE Filed May 18. 1962 3 Sheets-$heet 1 INVENTOR.

WILLIS G. GROTH Feb. 1965 w. G. GROTH 33mm TUBE FLARING MACHINE Filed May 18, 1962 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. w|u |s G. GROTH jld (9/4 ATTORNEY Feb. 23, 1965- w. e. GROTH 3,37@,502

' TUBE FLARING MACHINE Filed May 18, 1962 s Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR.

WILLIS G. GROTH United States Patent ()fi 3,170,502 Patented Feb. 23, 1965 TUBE FLARING MACHINE Willis G. Groth, 1207 Governors Drive SE., Huntsville, Ala. Filed May 18, 1962, Ser. No. 196,015 Claims. (Cl. 15381) (Granted under Title 35, US. Code (1952), see. 266) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes Without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

The invention relates to a means for producing tube flares and more particularly to a machine for flaring the end portions of tubes. 7 7

Reliability of demountable tubing connectors of the type in which the flared end of a tube is clamped by a circular collar to a cone surface of a fitting becomes of paramount importance in a large liquid propellant rocket vehicle which contains thousands of such 0on nectors. Essential to the leak integrity of these connectors is a tube flare which has a uniform wall thickness and a smooth surface.

Y Heretofore, however, conventional tube flaring machines in using a split female die failed to obtain, consistently, flares of uniform thickness and surface regularity because the split portions of the female die would not fit together perfectly. Attempts to manufacture the split female die to closer tolerances failed to eliminate the problem.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a means for consistently producing tube flares having a uniform thickness and a smooth surface.

Another object is to provide a tube flaring machine with a unitary female die whereby the problems attendant by the use of a split female die are eliminated.

Other objects, uses,. and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. r

, The invention consistslof a tube flaring machine having a housing which isfsupported so as to rotate about its own longitudinal axis. f Rotatively secured to the housingis a unitary female die having 'a'large central aperture adapted to receive the end portion of a tube which is to be flared. The aperture has a diameter larger than that desired for the completed flare so that the tubernay easily be withdrawn from the aperture following the flaring operation. The center of the aperture of the fernal die is located eccentric to the longitudinal axis of the housing. A male die is also rotatively secured to the housing in a cooperative relationship with the femal 'die.

7 in operation, the end portion of a tube is inserted within the aperture of the female die and against the surface of the aperture. Then, the male die is shifted into con tact with inner surface of the tube end portion to deform FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional plan view taken along line 55 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional elevation view taken along line 66 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURES 7 and 8 are cross-sectional partial elevation views showing modifications of the machine of FIG- URE 1. 7

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG- URE 1 a tube flaring machine 11 having a tubular shell 13 with a base portion 15 secured by bolts 16 to a bench or other suitable support 17. As shown best in FIGURES 3 and 4, a cylindrical housing 19 having an interior chamber 21 is rotatively mounted within the tubular shell by bearings 23 so that the housing 19 may rotate about its central or longitudinal axis. The housing,

19 has a cylindrical side wall 27 with a front Wall '29 and a rear wall 31 integral therewith.

The rear Wall 31 has a rectangular slot 33 therein with a rear countersunk portion 35 on each long side thereof resulting in two flanges 37. The rectangular slot 33 and its countersunk portion 35 extend radially outward from the longitudinal axis of the housing '19. A closure plate 3 is secured by bolts 41 or the like to the outer surface of the rear wall 31 of the housing 19.

The housing 19 is rotated within the tubular shell 13 by a tubular shaft 43 which is integral with the closure plate 39 and which extends outwardly therefrom along a longitudinal axis which coincides with the longitudinal axis of the housing 19. The passageway 45 ofthe tubular shaft 43 extends through the closure plate 39 and exits into the slot opening 33 of the housings rear wall 31.

- The tubular shaft 43 isprovided with a gear 47 adjacent and flare a small portion of the tube toward or against I the flaring surface of the female die. During this time, the housing is rotated about its longitudinalaxis in order that a substantial rolling contact between the tube and the flaring dies occurs which follows the circumference of the tnbes and thus forms a flare of uniform thickness.

This will be more readily understood by the following detailed description when taken together with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevation view of a tube flaring machine;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional elevation view taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1; 1

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional elevation view taken along line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional plan view taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

its distal end, as illustrated in FIGURE 1, which engages another gear 49 on the output shaft 51 of a motor 53.

The motor 53 is secured 'by bolts 55 to the bench or common support 17.

As shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, rectangular plate mount 57,'fitted within the rectangular slot 33 and its countersunk portion 35, is restrained from movement along the longitudinal axis of the housing 19 by the flanges 37 formed by thecountersunk portion 35. However, the plate mount 57 is sufliciently short as to be at one end to the forward port-ion of the rod 59 and at its other end to the sides of the recess 61. A portion 65 of the surface of the tubular passageway 45 is chamfered adjacent its exit opening from the closure plate 39 to provide space in which the link 63 may pivot.

The rear end of the rod 59 has a piston 67 integral 7 therewith, as illustrated in FIGURE 5, which is located within a large enlargement or cylinder portion 69 of the tubular passageway 45 within the shaft 43. Hydraulic fluid is supplied to the cylinder 69 by a line 71 which is joined to the rear end of the tubular shaft by a conventional rotary coupling 73. 7

Thus, it can be seen that as hydraulic fluid is forced into the icylinder69 through the line 71, the rod 59 will be shifted forward causing the link 63 to apply a force on the rectangular mount 57 so it will'slide radially to thehousings longitudinal axis.

To enable the mount 57 to return to its normal position when the fluid pressure within the cylinder 69 is reduced, a coil spring 75, as shown in FIGURE 3, is located between the cylindrical side wall 27 and the platemount 57. A short wall 76 extending between the flanges 37 :1; 5D confines the spring within the rectangular slot 33 and its countersunk portion 35.

The plate mount 57, as shown in FIGURE 3, has a tubular boss 77 projecting perpendicularly outward from its forward face so as to have a longitudinal axis located within a plane radial to the longitudinal axis of the housing 19. A male tube flaring die 79 is symmetrically mounted for rotation by bearings 81 within the tubular boss 77. The malefiaring die 79 consists of an elongated cylindrical member 33 with a large cone frustrum head 85 on its end which projects beyond the tubularv boss 77. The, cone angle of the head 79 is selected to correspond to the cone angle desired for the inner surface of a completed tube flare. i

'It is apparent that, when the rectangular mount 57 is shifted within the rectangular slot 33 and its countersunk portion 35, the longitudinal axis of the male die '79 will move within a plane radial to the housings longitudinal axis. The front wall 29 of the housing19 is provided with a large aperture 87 having a'center substantially aligned .with the housings longitudinal or rotating axis. Secured to the outer surface of thefront wall 29 adjacent opposite side portions ofthe aperture 57 are two L-shaped members 89, as illustrated best in FIGURES land 4, which definea path which extends, radially outward from the housings longitudinal axis in thelsame r'nanner as the rectangular slot 33 audits countersunk portion 35.

Slidably restrained by the L-shaped members 89 is a rectangular support91 having a unitary circular female female die 93 is located so asto have its center and transverse axis within the same plane, which extends radially from the housings longitudinal axis, as the longitudinal axis of the male die '79. In operating position, the center of the female die 93 will also be located eccentrically to the housings longitudinal axis.

- Lugs 97 are secured tothe outer surfaceof the'front' 7 wall 29, one at each extremity of the path definedby the two L.-sl 1aped members 89. Screws 9? extend through '30 die 93 .rotatively mounted therein by bearings 95. The

threaded bores within the'lugs 917 and engage opposed edge j As shown in FIGURE 3, the female die ;93 has two largesidesurfaces 101 and 1103 with coaxial inner'and outer circular perimetric edge surfaces 155. and 107,re.-

spective'ly. The inner-perimetric edge surface 155 defines the outer limits of an aperturej1tl9 extending through the center of the female die 93. A portion 1110f the inner perimetric surface 105 adjacentthe outer opening of the aperture 109 is shaped to forrna cylindrical area while the remaining portion 113 of the inner .p'erimetric surface 105 adjacent the opposite or inner openingof isadapted to make.

The cone shaped As shown in FIGURE 3, the. end portion a 115 which is to be flared by the machine 11 is located surfaces of the support 91 whereby it may be adjusted along the path formed by the twozL-shaped members 89-."

wardly curving arms 123 which define a semi-circular seat for a lower pipe holding section 125. The arms 123 are formed or provided at their upper ends with outwardly projecting catch lugs 127. An upper frame 129having an inverted U-shape is provided with inwardly bent portions 131 adapted to engage underneath the catch lugs sections 125 and 14 1, respectively, have suitablefcentral semi-circular openings to grip the intervening tube 115.

' Thus, by turning the screw 135 downwardly the tube 115 will be firmly gripped between the sections 125 and 141,

and by turning the screw 135upwardly the tube 115 will be released. a V

In operation, the tube115 is positioned with'its end projecting into the aperture 169 of, the female die 11 and located over the cone frustrum surface area 113 of the female die95. The tube 115 is. then fixed into this position by the clamp 1117. V 7

- Following the positioning of the tube 115, the female die 91 is adjusted by screws 99 to place its inner cylindrical surface area 111 into contact with the outer sur- 1 face of the tube 115." For proper. operation, the center of the. female dies aperture 109should be eccentricto the housings longitudinal or rotating axisfollowing the. adjustment of the screws 99. V

The motor 53 is then'started sothat the housing 19 will rotate about its longitudinal axis within. thetubular shell 13. Concurrently, fluidris forced through line 71 into the cylinder '69'of'the tubular shaft 43 causing the piston .67 and its attached rod 59 to shift forward and force the plate'mount'57'to. slide outwardly in order that thehead 85 of thernale die 79. will contact the inner surface of thev tube 115 and .form or flare it'out wardly toward theicontiguouscone surface area 113 of the femaledie' 5 3. 1

Becauseiof the thrust of the tube 115 against the inner perimetric surface 1050f the. female die 91, the female die 91 will revolve about its center. as the housing 19 head 85 of the male die 79 extends throughthe inner opening of the female dies, aperture 109, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4.; Thecontiguous' portions of the cone frustrurn surfaces of the head 79. and female die93. are substantially parallel.

tube

within the female' diesaperture 1091 and is coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing 19; To insure the tube 115-is located correctly,a tube clamp- 117, as illustrated in FTGURES l and 6, may be used.

lo'ngitudinalaxis 25. V e

After the end portion ofthe tube 115 is flared as shQWh in FIGURE ;3, a suitable valve (not shown) 'may re-v rotates. Also, because the center of thefemale die 93 is eccentric to the housings longitudinalorfrotating axis,

theffernale die 93 will also rotate about thejhousings' longitudinal am's. Thus, itis apparent, that the contact between the outer; surface ofthe tube 115 and the inner perimetric surface 1115 ofthe female die .93 will revolve about the coin'cidentaxesof-the housing 19--and the.

tube 115 even though thetube 115-remains stationary.

Since the longitudinal axis of themale die-'79 is eccen tric-to the housings longitudinal axis, the thrust and friction between itssurface and the tube sur facewill also cause it to rotate about its own-longitudinal axis-when rotated abqutthe housings longitudinal axis.

Fluid is forced into'thecylinder 691 within the" tubular shaft 43in gradual time increments so thatthe. male .die 79'Will force the tube end portion 115 into a flarein the same corresponding time increments. Superior results areobtained ifthe time increment selected allows the surface contact between .the: tube 115 and. the male die 79to'rnake one completelrevolution about-the housi'ngs lease the, confined fluid within the cylinder.69-,so that the compressed'coil spring will force the rod'59 back into the cylinder 69 'and-shiftthe male .die 79 so as'to' release the completed fiare of. the tube 115. The tube J-rnay then easily be removed frorn the clamp. 117

= The tube clamp 117 includes a pedestal .119 having 1 a base+121 which is bolted to the, common support 17; The pedestall119 at its 'upper'end is provided with up:

die 93. j V I V: s The type of 'surfacecontact between the tube Y115 and: dies 79 and93 is unique in flaring'machines; As between and slipped out from the fapefrture 1119 of the "female the cylindrical surface area 111 of the female die 93 and the outer surface of the tube 115 a rolling contact will occur; and as between the completed flare of the tube 115 and the cone surface 113 of the female die 93 a diiferential rolling and sliding contact will occur. Also, as between the male die 79 and completed flare of the tube 115 a differential rolling and sliding contact will occur. A slight sliding between the dies 79 and 93 and the completed flare of the tube 115 is not detrimental and will tend to smooth the flare surface.

A modification to obtain a different type contact between the tube 115 and the male die 79 is illustrated in FIGURE 7. As shown, the rectangular plate mount 57 has a modified tubular boss177 with an internal bore angularly related to the housings longitudinal axis. The angularity of the bore of the tubular boss 177 is such that the apex of the cone shaped head 85 of the male die 79rotatively mounted therein will coincide with the apex of the developed flare cone of cone surface area 113 of the female die 93. Thus, a pure rolling contact will occur between the male die 79 and the completed flare of the tube 115.

If, in addition, it is desired that a pure rolling contact be obtained between the cone surface area 113 of the female die 93 and the completed flare of the tube 115, the modification illustrated in FIGURE 8 may be used. In this instance, the housing 19 has a modified front wall 179 which makes an obtuse angle to the housings longitudinal axis. The angularity of the front wall 179 is such that the apex of the developed cone surface area 113 of the female die 93 will coincide with the apex of the developed outer cone surface of the flare of the tube 115.

It is apparent that a novel machine has been developed which utilizes a housing with a rotatable mounted female die which receives the end of a tube. While in the embodiments described, the unique rotation relationship between the tube and housing has been illustrated by the rotation of the housing about a stationary tube, it is evident that the same unique rotation relationship can also be achieved by rotation of the tube while the housing is held stationary.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.

What is claimed is: i

"1. A tube flaring machine, comprising:

(a) a tubular shell (b) a cylindrical housing adapted to rotate about its longitudinal axis;

(0) means for rotatively mounting said housing within said tubular shell; V

(d) said cylindrical housing having an interior chamber defined by a cylindrical side wall, a front Wall, and a rear wall;

(6) said rear Wall having a rectangular slot therein with a rear countersunk portion;

(1) a closure plate secured to the outer surface of said rear wall;

(g) said closure plate having an outwardly extending tubular shaft symmetrically aligned with the housings longitudinal axis; I

(h) means for rotating said tubular shaft and housing;

(1') a plate mount'slidably located within said rectangular slot and countersunk portion;

(j) a rod slidably located within said tubular shaft;

(k) a link means for connecting said rod and said plate mount;

(I) said plate mount having a tubular boss;

(m) a male tube flaring die rotatively mounted within said tubular boss;

(n) said front wall of said housing having a large aperture;

(0) a support having a unitary circular female tube flaring die rotatively mounted therein; and

(p) means for slidably positioning said support on the outer surface of said front wall whereby the center of said female die may be located eccentric to the housings longitudinal axis.

2. In a machine for flaring the end portion of a tube,

the combination comprising:.

(a) a housing adapted to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the tube to be flared;

(b) a female die having a circular inner perimetric surface defining an aperture with inner and outer openings;

(0) said perimetric surface adjacent the outer opening of said aperture being shaped to form a cylindrical area; v (d) said perimetric surface adjacent the inner opening of said aperture being shaped to form a cone frustum area;

(e) means for rotatively supporting said female die on said housing so as to locate its center eccentric to the longitudinal axis of the tube to be flared;

(j) a male die having a cone frustum head extending tpartially within the aperture of said female die; and

(g) means for rotatively supporting said male die on said housing.

3. In a machine for flaring the end portion of a tube,

the combination comprising:

(a) a housing adapted to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the tube to be flared;

(b) a female die having a circular inner perimetric surface defining an aperture with inner and outer openings;

1 (c) means for rotatively supporting said female die on said housing so as to locate its center eccentric to the longitudinal axis of the tube to be flared;

(d) a male die having a flaring cone which is adapted to extend partially within the aperture of said female die; and

(e) means for rotatively supporting said male die.

4. In a machine for flaring the end portion of a tube,

the combination comprising:

(a) ahousing;

(b) a unitary female die having aninner perimetric surface defining anaperture with inner and outer openings;

(c) said perimetric surface having a cone flaring surface adapted for contact with the outer surface of the tube end portion to be flared;

(d) means for rotatively supporting said female die on said housing so as to locate its center eccentric to the longitudinal axis of the tube to be flared;

(e) a male tube flaring die having a flaring cone which is adapted to extend partially within the aperture of said female die for contact with the inner surface of the tube end portion to be flared; and

(f) adjustable means for rotatively supporting said male die on said housing.

5. A tube flaring machine, comprising:

(a) a housing adapted to rotate about its longitudinal axis which will coincide with the longitudinal axis of a tube to be flared;

(b) said housing having an interior chamber with a front opening; (0) means for rotating said housing about its longitudinal axis;

(d) a female die having an inner perimetric surface defining an aperture with inner and outer openings;

(e) said perimetric surface having a cone flaring surface adjacent its inner opening;

(f) means for rotatively supporting said female die '2' s over the front opening of said housing and on said housing so as to locate the center of the aperture of the female'die eccent ric to the longitudinal axis of the housing; (g) a male tube flaring die having a cone surface; and (h) adjustable means for rotatively supporting said male die Within the interior chamber of said housing so that the cone surface of the male die extends through the inner openings of the female die.

893,434 7/08 Brinkrnan. r 5 2,524,429 10/50 Blampin v 29543 7 2,924,263 2/60 Landis o 153 81 2,962,079 11/60 Wilson 15381 3,041,990 7/62 Le Fifill 113 53 CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner; WHITMORE A. WILTLEa-bzminer. 

1. A TUBE FLARING MACHINE, COMPRISING: (A) A TUBULAR SHELL (B) A CYLINDRICAL HOUSING ADAPTED TO ROTATE ABOUT ITS LONGITUDINAL AXIS; (C) MEANS FOR ROTATIVELY MOUNTING SAID HOUSING WITHIN SAID TUBULAR SHELL; (D) SAID CYLINDRICAL HOUSING HAVING AN INTERIOR CHAMBER DEFINED BY A CYLINDRICAL SIDE WALL, A FRONT WALL, AND A REAR WALL; (E) SAID REAR WALL HAVING A RECTANGULAR SLOT THEREIN WITH A REAR COUNTERSUNK PORTION; (F) A CLOSURE PLATE SECURED TO THE OUTER SURFACE OF SAID REAR WALL; (G) SAID CLOSURE PLATE HAVING AN OUTWARDLY EXTENDING TUBULAR SHAFT SYMMETRICALLY ALIGNED WITH THE HOUSING''S LONGITUDINAL AXIS; (H) MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID TUBULAR SHAFT AND HOUSING; 